Enhanced user assistance

ABSTRACT

Methods, devices, and systems that provide a user assistance. In an approach, an exemplary method includes receiving a query related to an item through a first user interface associated with the item, and providing an assistance correlating to the query through a second user interface associated with the item. In another approach, an exemplary system includes an item having a receiver, an indicator, a computing device, and instructions. The instructions when implemented in the computing device cause the computing device to activate a help mode, receive a selection of the aspect of the item through the receiver, and broadcast a tutorial that includes information related to the selected aspect of the item through the indicator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, claims the earliest availableeffective filing date(s) from (e.g., claims earliest available prioritydates for other than provisional patent applications; claims benefitsunder 35 USC § 119(e) for provisional patent applications), andincorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of theherein listed application(s); the present application also claims theearliest available effective filing date(s) from, and also incorporatesby reference in its entirety all subject matter of any and all parent,grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the herein listedapplication(s). The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published anotice to the effect that the USPTO's computer programs require thatpatent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether anapplication is a continuation or continuation in part. The presentapplicant entity has provided below a specific reference to theapplication(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited bystatute. Applicant entity understands that the statute is unambiguous inits specific reference language and does not require either a serialnumber or any characterization such as “continuation” or“continuation-in-part.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, applicant entityunderstands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entryrequirements, and hence applicant entity is designating the presentapplication as a continuation in part of its parent applications, butexpressly points out that such designations are not to be construed inany way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or notthe present application contains any new matter in addition to thematter of its parent application(s).

1. For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation in part of currently co-pendingUnited States patent application entitled PROVIDING ASSISTANCE, namingEdward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud, and John D.Rinaldo, Jr., as inventors, filed Sep. 30, 2004, Ser. No. 10/955,966.

2. For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation in part of currently co-pendingUnited States patent application entitled ENHANCED USER ASSISTANCE,naming Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud, and John D.Rinaldo, Jr., as inventors, filed Oct. 26, 2004, Ser. No. ______.

3. For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation in part of currently co-pendingUnited States patent application entitled ENHANCED USER ASSISTANCE,naming Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud, and John D.Rinaldo, Jr., as inventors, filed Oct. 26, 2004, Ser. No. ______.

3. For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation in part of currently co-pendingUnited States patent application entitled ENHANCED CONTEXTUAL USERASSISTANCE, naming Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud,and John D. Rinaldo, Jr., as inventors, filed Oct. 27, 2004, Ser. No.______.

In an event of any inconsistencies between the instant application andan application incorporated by reference, the instant applicationcontrols.

SUMMARY

An embodiment provides a method. The method includes receiving a queryrelated to an item through a first user interface associated with theitem, and providing an assistance correlating to the query through asecond user interface associated with the item. The first user interfacemay include an element of the item in a first state and the second userinterface may include the element of the item in a second state. Thefirst user interface may include an element of the item in a first modeand the second user interface may include the element of the item in asecond mode. The receiving a query related to an item through a firstuser interface associated with the item may include receiving aselection of an aspect of the item through a first user interfaceassociated with the item. The receiving a selection of an aspect of theitem through a first user interface associated with the item may includereceiving a selection of an aspect of the item through a first userinterface associated with the aspect of the item. The receiving a queryrelated to an item through a first user interface may include receivinga selection corresponding to an assistance request. The receiving aquery related to an item through a first user interface may includedetecting a touch through a first user interface. The receiving a querythrough a first user interface may include detecting a sound through thefirst user interface. The detecting a sound may include detecting aspoken word.

The item may include a vehicle and the receiving a query may includereceiving a query related to an aspect of the vehicle. The item mayinclude an appliance and the receiving a query may include receiving aquery related to an aspect of the appliance. The item may include amanufacturing apparatus and the receiving query may include receiving aquery related to an aspect of the manufacturing apparatus. The item mayinclude a control system and the receiving a query may include receivinga query related to an aspect of the control system.

The providing an assistance may include providing a user assistance. Theproviding an assistance may include visually providing an assistance,audibly providing an assistance, providing a spoken assistance,tactilely providing an assistance, providing a guided responseassistance, providing a guidance correlating with a process associatedwith the item, providing a description of an aspect of the item,providing a showing of how an aspect of the device works, and/orproviding an interactive tutorial assistance. The providing anassistance may include providing an assistance correlating with aphysical element of the item, which includes blinking a light emitterassociated with the physical element.

The method may further include searching an assistance file for anassistance correlating with the query. The receiving a query related toan item through a first user interface associated with the item mayinclude receiving a query related to an item having a computing devicethrough a first user interface associated with the computing device. Themethod may further include sensing a context of the item and wherein theproviding an assistance correlating to the query may include providingan assistance correlating to the query and the sensed context of theitem. The sensing a context of the item may include sensing a contextextrinsic to the item. The sensing a context of the item may includesensing an environment extrinsic to the item. The sensing a context ofthe item may include sensing a context intrinsic to the item. Thereceiving a query related to an item through a first user interfaceassociated with the item may include receiving a query related to anitem including a computing device through a first user interfaceassociated with the computing device. Further included may be acomputer-readable medium containing computer instructions which, whenrun on a computing device, cause the computing device to perform themethod. The computer-readable medium may include a computer storagemedium. The computer storage medium may be carried by acomputer-readable carrier. The computer-readable medium may include acommunications medium.

A further embodiment provides a system. The system includes an itemhaving a first user interface, a second user interface, a computingdevice, and instructions. The instructions when implemented in thecomputing device cause the computing device to receive a query relatedto the item through a first user interface associated with the item, andprovide an assistance correlating to the query through a second userinterface associated with the item. The first user interface may includean element of the item in a first state and the second user interfacemay include the element of the item in a second state. The first userinterface may include an element of the item in a first mode and thesecond user interface may include the element of the item in a secondmode. The second user interface may include the first user interface.The first user interface may include a button. The button may include atangible button, and/or a virtual button, and the virtual button mayinclude a virtual button displayed on a display surface. The second userinterface may include a visual display, which may include a visualdisplay surface, and/or a light emitter. The first user interface mayinclude a first user interface associated with an aspect of the item.The first user interface associated with an aspect of the item mayinclude a first user interface physically associated with an aspect ofthe item. The first user interface associated with an aspect of the itemmay include a first user interface virtually associated with an aspectof the item.

The item further may include a context sensor. The instructions furtherinclude an instruction to receive a context of the item from the contextsensor, and wherein the instruction to provide an assistance correlatingto the query may include provide an assistance correlating to the queryand the context. The context sensor may include a sensor configured tosense a context extrinsic to the item, an environment extrinsic to theitem, and/or a context intrinsic to the item. The item may include avehicle, an appliance, a manufacturing apparatus, and/or a controlsystem.

An embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a meansassociated with an item for receiving a query related to the item, and ameans associated with the item for providing an assistance correlatingto the query.

Another embodiment provides a system. The system includes a query moduleoperable to receive a query related to an item through a first userinterface associated with the item, and an assistance module operable toprovide an assistance correlating to the query through a second userinterface associated with the item.

A further embodiment provides a method. The method includes receiving aselection corresponding to an aspect of an item through a first userinterface of the item, receiving a selection corresponding to anassistance request related to the aspect of the item through a seconduser interface of the item, and providing an assistance correlating tothe assistance request related to the aspect of the item through a thirduser interface of the item. The first user interface may include anelement of the item in a first state, and the second user interface mayinclude the element of the item in a second state. The first userinterface may include an element of the item in a first state, thesecond user interface may include the element of the item in a secondstate, and the third user interface may include the element of the itemin a third state. One of the first user interface, the second userinterface, and the third user interface may include an element of theitem in a first state, and another of the first user interface, thesecond user interface, and the third user interface include the elementof the item in a second state. The first user interface may include anelement of the item in a first mode and the second user interface mayinclude the element of the item in a second mode. The first userinterface may include an element of the item in a first mode, the seconduser interface may include the element of the item in a second mode, andthe third user interface may include the element of the item in a thirdmode. One of the first user interface, the second user interface, andthe third user interface include an element of the item in a first mode,and another of the first user interface, the second user interface, andthe third user interface include the element of the item in a secondmode.

The receiving a selection corresponding to an aspect of an item througha first user interface of the item may include a receiving a selectioncorresponding to an aspect of an item through a first user interface ofthe item associated with the aspect. The receiving a selectioncorresponding to an aspect of an item through a first user interface ofthe item may include a receiving a selection corresponding to an aspectof an item having a computing device through a first user interface ofthe computing device associated with the aspect.

The receiving a selection corresponding to an aspect of an item througha first user interface may include a detecting a touch to the first userinterface. The receiving a selection corresponding to an aspect of anitem through a first user interface may include detecting a soundthrough the first user interface. The detecting a sound may includedetecting a spoken word. The receiving a selection corresponding to anassistance request through a second user interface may include detectinga touch to the second user interface. The receiving a selectioncorresponding to an assistance request related to the aspect of the itemthrough a second user interface of the item may include receiving aselection corresponding to a predetermined assistance request related tothe aspect of the item through a second user interface of the item. Themethod may further include searching an assistance file for theassistance correlating to the assistance request.

The method may further include sensing a context of the item and whereinthe providing an assistance correlating to the query may includeproviding an assistance correlating to the query and the sensed contextof the item. The sensing a context of the item may include sensing acontext extrinsic to the item. The sensing a context of the item mayinclude sensing an environment extrinsic to the item. The sensing acontext of the item may include sensing a context intrinsic to the item.

The searching the assistance file may include searching an assistancefile stored in an association with the computing device. The method mayfurther include receiving an input responsive to the providedassistance. The input responsive to the provided assistance may includea request for an additional assistance correlating to the providedassistance. The method may further include providing another assistancecorrelating to the received input responsive to the provided assistance.Further included may be a computer-readable medium containing computerinstructions which, when run on a computing device, cause the computingdevice to perform the method. The computer-readable medium may include acomputer storage medium. The computer storage medium may be carried by acomputer-readable carrier. The computer-readable medium may include acommunications medium.

An embodiment provides a system. The system includes an item having afirst user interface, a second user interface, a third user interface, acomputing device, and instructions. The instructions when implemented inthe computing device cause the computing device to receive a selectioncorresponding to an aspect of the item through a first user interface ofthe item, receive a selection corresponding to an assistance requestrelated to the aspect of the item through a second user interface of theitem, and provide an assistance correlating to the assistance requestrelated to the aspect of the item through a third user interface of theitem.

The first user interface may include an element of the item in a firststate, and the second user interface may include the element of the itemin a second state. The first user interface may include an element ofthe item in a first state, the second user interface may include theelement of the item in a second state, and the third user interface mayinclude the element of the item in a third state. One of the first userinterface, the second user interface, and the third user interface mayinclude an element of the item in a first state, and another of thefirst user interface, the second user interface, and the third userinterface include the element of the item in a second state. The firstuser interface may include an element of the item in a first mode andthe second user interface may include the element of the item in asecond mode. The first user interface may include an element of the itemin a first mode, the second user interface may include the element ofthe item in a second mode, and the third user interface may include theelement of the item in a third mode. One of the first user interface,the second user interface, and the third user interface include anelement of the item in a first mode, and another of the first userinterface, the second user interface, and the third user interfaceinclude the element of the item in a second mode. The first userinterface of the item may include a first user interface of the itemassociated with the aspect of the item. The item may include a pervasivecomputing device. The computing device may include a limited resourcecomputing device. The instructions may include search an assistance filefor the assistance correlating to the assistance request. Theinstructions may further include receive an input responsive to theprovided assistance, and provide another assistance correlating to thereceived input responsive to the provided assistance.

Another embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a meansfor receiving a selection corresponding to an aspect of an item, a meansfor receiving a selection corresponding to an assistance request relatedto the aspect of the item, and a means for providing an assistancecorrelating to the assistance request related to the aspect of the item.A further embodiment provides a method. The method includes activating ahelp mode in an item, receiving a selection of an aspect of the itemthrough a receiver associated with the aspect, and broadcasting atutorial that includes information related to the selected aspect of theitem through an indicator associated with the item.

An embodiment provides a system. The system includes an item having areceiver associated with an aspect of the item, an indicator, acomputing device, and instructions. The instructions when implemented inthe computing device cause the computing device to activate a help mode,receive a selection of the aspect of the item through the receiver, andbroadcast a tutorial that includes information related to the selectedaspect of the item through an indicator associated with the item.

In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system aspectsare set forth and described in the text (e.g., claims and/or detaileddescription) and/or drawings of the present application.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will becomeapparent in the detailed description set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may beimplemented, including a thin computing device and a functional elementof an electronic device;

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary system in which embodiments may beimplemented, including a general-purpose computing device;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow thatprovides assistance;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating additional detail related to analternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flowsupplementing the exemplary query operational flow that providesassistance described in conjunction with FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow thatreceives an assistance presentation;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary operational flowthat receives an assistance presentation;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow thatprovides contextual assistance;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary operationalflow that provides contextual assistance;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flowthat provides assistance;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a further exemplary operationalflow that provides assistance;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments of theexemplary operational flow illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14 that provideassistance may be implemented; and

FIG. 14 illustrates user interfaces of the exemplary embodiment of thecomputing device of the exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof. In the several figures, like referenced numerals identify likeelements. The detailed description and the drawings illustrate exemplaryembodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may bemade, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here. The following detailed description is therefore not tobe taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the claimed subjectmatter is defined by the appended claims.

Features, functionality, and options of computing devices, such aspersonal computers, and the larger systems of which they may be a part,such as cars, airplanes, submarines, and aircraft carriers, have rapidlyadvanced and evolved as technology provides increased processor speeds,storage capacity, connectivity, and interconnectivity, all at decreasedcost. Additionally, rapid advances have been made in interconnectabilityand interoperability of computing devices and other devices at aconsumer level, such as handheld devices and cell phones, at a systemand large system level. These advances are intended to provide a userwith many benefits. However, realization of these benefits may requirethat a user read and re-read manuals.

When new, a user may or many not take the trouble to read a manual.Manuals are sometimes considered too complex and troublesome tocomprehend. As a result, the advances may be unused and the userdissatisfied. A user may benefit from being able to input a selectionrelevant to a need or question through a user interface associated witha computer or a system, and then let an assistance manager guide themfrom there using the same or another user interface.

Additionally, manuals are sometimes lost, misplaced, or unavailable,such as for example, when traveling. A user may further benefit by beingable to obtain assistance directly from the computer of a nature oftenprovided by a comprehensive user manual.

Further, as a result of rapidly advancing computer technology, computingdevices are become smaller, more powerful, and cheaper. The advancingcomputing technology is moving beyond the personal computer and intoeveryday items and devices, providing embedded technology andconnectivity. Almost any thing or item, from buildings to clothing, fromtelephones to tools, from appliances to cars, from homes to the humanbody, from personal information devices to a common a coffee mug, canhave an embedded electronic device that includes a computing device. Theembedded electronic device typically improves performance and capacityof a basic functionality of the item, and may connect the item with anetwork of other items or the Internet. These items with embeddedelectronic devices may be described using a variety of names, which maynot have a bright line distinction between them. Commonly used namesinclude a limited resource computing device, limited capacity computingdevice, ubiquitous computing device, pervasive computing device, digitalappliance, and Internet appliance. Such items may be collectivelyreferred to herein from time-to-time as “pervasive computing,” or a“pervasive computing device” for economy of words and to aid in readingand understanding embodiments disclosed herein.

Pervasive computing provides increased functionality, it often requiresincreased interaction between a user and a previously dumb device.Pervasive computing devices, such as conventional telephones, cellphones, smart phones, pocket organizers, and personal digitalassistants, often present a user with widely varying user interfaceprotocols. This may contribute to user confusion about an aspect of thepervasive computing device they are viewing, such as a particularbutton. As a result, simply finding appropriate aspects of the devicerelated to a portion of the user manual may be difficult or impossible.Like a computer user, a pervasive computing device user may benefit frominteractive assistance.

Rapidly advancing technology may also provide an opportunity forincreased interaction between traditionally dumb items and user manuals.Many dumb items have become more complex and sophisticated to meet userdemand. For example, simply adjusting an ergonomic chair requirescomplex instructions and location of knobs placed at odd locations. Usermanuals have correspondingly become more complex and sometimesconfusing. As a result, simply finding appropriate aspects of the itemrelated to a portion of the user manual may be difficult or impossible.A user may benefit from interactive assistance with these traditionallydumb items.

FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief,general description of an environment in which embodiments may beimplemented. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system that includes a thincomputing device 20 that interfaces with an electronic device thatincludes one or more functional elements. For example, the electronicdevice may include any item having electrical and/or electroniccomponents playing a role in a functionality of the item, such as alimited resource computing device, a digital camera, a cell phone, aprinter, a refrigerator, a car, and an airplane. The thin computingdevice 20 includes a processing unit 21, a system memory 22, and asystem bus 23 that couples various system components including thesystem memory 22 to the processing unit 21. The system bus 23 may be anyof several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. The system memory includes read-only memory (ROM) 24and random access memory (RAM) 25. A basic input/output system (BIOS)26, containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween sub-components within the thin computing device 20, such asduring start-up, is stored in the ROM 24. A number of program modulesmay be stored in the ROM 24 and/or RAM 25, including an operating system28, one or more application programs 29, other program modules 30 andprogram data 31.

A user may enter commands and information into the computing device 20through input devices, such as a number of switches and buttons,illustrated as hardware buttons 44, connected to the system via asuitable interface 45. Input devices may further include atouch-sensitive display screen 32 with suitable input detectioncircuitry 33). The output circuitry of the touch-sensitive display 32 isconnected to the system bus 23 via a video driver 37. Other inputdevices may include a microphone 34 connected through a suitable audiointerface 35, and a physical hardware keyboard (not shown). In additionto the display 32, the computing device 20 may include other peripheraloutput devices, such as at least one speaker 38.

Other external input or output devices 39, such as a joystick, game pad,satellite dish, scanner or the like may be connected to the processingunit 21 through a USB port 40 and USB port interface 41, to the systembus 23. Alternatively, the other external input and output devices 39may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game portor other port. The computing device 20 may further include or be capableof connecting to a flash card memory (not shown) through an appropriateconnection port (not shown). The computing device 20 may further includeor be capable of connecting with a network through a network port 42 andnetwork interface 43, and through wireless port 46 and correspondingwireless interface 47 may be provided to facilitate communication withother peripheral devices, including other computers, printers, and so on(not shown). It will be appreciated that the various components andconnections shown are exemplary and other components and means ofestablishing communications links may be used.

The computing device 20 may be primarily designed to include a userinterface having a character, key-based, other user data input via thetouch sensitive display 32 using a stylus (not shown). Moreover, theuser interface is not limited to an actual touch-sensitive panelarranged for directly receiving input, but may alternatively or inaddition respond to another input device, such as the microphone 34. Forexample, spoken words may be received at the microphone 34 andrecognized. Alternatively, the computing device 20 may be designed toinclude a user interface having a physical keyboard (not shown).

The device functional elements (not shown) are typically applicationspecific and related to a function of the electronic device. The devicefunctional elements are driven by a device functional element(s)interface 50, which coupled with the system bus 23. A functional elementmay typically perform a single well-defined task with little or no userconfiguration or setup, such as a refrigerator keeping food cold, a cellphone connecting with an appropriate tower and transceiving voice ordata information, and a camera capturing and saving an image.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary system in which embodiments of maybe implemented. FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic device that maycorrespond in whole or part to a general-purpose computing device, shownas a computer 100. Components of the computer 100 may include, but arenot limited to, a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a systembus 121 that couples various system components including the systemmemory to the processing unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any ofseveral types of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, sucharchitectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, MicroChannel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus, also known as Mezzanine bus.

The computer 100 typically includes a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer 100 and include both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media may include computer storage mediaand communications media. Computer storage media includes both volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to,random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD), or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium whichcan be used to store the desired information and which can be accessedby the computer 100. Communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and include any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationsmedia include wired media such as a wired network and a direct-wiredconnection and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, optical, andinfrared media. Combinations of the any of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and nonvolatile memory such as ROM 131 and RAM 132. A basicinput/output system (BIOS) 133, containing the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within the computer 100, suchas during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typicallycontains data and program modules that are immediately accessible to orpresently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example,and not limitation, FIG. 2 illustrates an operating system 134,application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data137. Often, the operating system 134 offers services to applicationsprograms 135 by way of one or more application programming interfaces(APIs) (not shown). Because the operating system 134 incorporates theseservices, developers of applications programs 135 need not redevelopcode to use the services. Examples of APIs provided by operating systemssuch as Microsoft's “WINDOWS” are well known in the art.

The computer 100 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 2 illustrates a non-removable non-volatile memory interface (harddisk interface) 140 that reads from and writes to non-removable,nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that reads fromand writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an opticaldisk drive 155 that reads from and writes to a removable, nonvolatileoptical disk 156 such as a CD ROM. Other removable/nonremovable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in theexemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to,magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, DVDs, digital video tape,solid state RAM, and solid state ROM. The hard disk drive 141 istypically connected to the system bus 121 through a non-removable memoryinterface, such as the interface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 andoptical disk drive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 bya removable memory interface, such as interface 150.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 2 provide storage of computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for thecomputer 100. In FIG. 2, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustratedas storing an operating system 144, application programs 145, otherprogram modules 146, and program data 147. Note that these componentscan either be the same as or different from the operating system 134,application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data137. The operating system 144, application programs 145, other programmodules 146, and program data 147 are given different numbers here toillustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user mayenter commands and information into the computer 100 through inputdevices such as a microphone 163, keyboard 162 and pointing device 161,commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad. Other inputdevices (not shown) may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish,and scanner. These and other input devices are often connected to theprocessing unit 120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupledto the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and busstructures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serialbus (USB). A monitor 191 or other type of display device is alsoconnected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a videointerface 190. In addition to the monitor, computers may also includeother peripheral output devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196,which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 195.

The computer 100 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a peer device, or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described above relativeto the computer 100, although only a memory storage device 181 has beenillustrated in FIG. 2. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 2include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN)173, but may also include other networks such as a personal area network(PAN) (not shown). Such networking environments are commonplace inoffices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 100 is connectedto the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 100 typically includes amodem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user inputinterface 160, or via another appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 100, orportions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 2 illustrates remoteapplication programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

In the description that follows, embodiments will be described withreference to acts and symbolic representations of operations that areperformed by one or more computing devices, such a computing device 20of FIG. 1 and/or computer 100 of FIG. 2, unless indicated otherwise. Assuch, it will be understood that such acts and operations, which are attimes referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulationby the processing unit of the computer of electrical signalsrepresenting data in a structured form. This manipulation transforms thedata or maintains them at locations in the memory system of thecomputer, which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of thecomputer in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. Thedata structures where data are maintained are physical locations of thememory that have particular properties defined by the format of thedata. However, while an embodiment is being described in the foregoingcontext, it is not meant to be limiting as those of skill in the artwill appreciate that the acts and operations described hereinafter mayalso be implemented in hardware.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a suitable environment on whichembodiments may be implemented. The computing device 20 of FIG. 1 and/orcomputer 100 of FIG. 2 are examples of a suitable environment and arenot intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of an embodiment. Neither should the environment beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any oneor combination of components illustrated in an exemplary operatingenvironment.

Embodiments may be implemented with numerous other general-purpose orspecial-purpose computing devices and computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and configurations that may be suitable for use with an embodimentinclude, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers,hand-held or laptop devices, personal digital assistants, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,and distributed computing environments that include any of the abovesystems or devices.

Embodiments may be described in a general context of computer-executableinstructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. An embodiment may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding memory storage devices.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 200that provides assistance. After a start operation, the operation movesto operation 210. At activation operation 210, an assistance manager isactivated. The assistance manager typically includes instructions, suchas computer-readable instructions, for example, a program, process,and/or application operating on an electronic device that implements theexemplary operational flow 200 that provides assistance.

At query operation 220, a query related to an electronic device isreceived through a first interface associated with the electronicdevice. The query may include a selection of an aspect of the electronicdevice as a subject of the query. The query may include any aspect ofthe electronic device for which a user might desire assistance, such as,a feature of the device, an element of the device, and a processassociated with the device. The query related to the electronic devicemay include an assistance request related to the electronic device. Theassistance request may include a request related to the electronicdevice in any manner, including the selected aspect of the electronicdevice. For example, the assistance request may include any requestrelated to the electronic device, such as “show me,” “demonstrate,” and“guide me.” The first interface may include a first user interface.

The electronic device may be incorporated into any type of applianceand/or item. In certain embodiments, the electronic device may include acomputing device, such as a personal computer and a server. In otherembodiments, the electronic device may include a limited resourcecomputing device, an appliance, a pervasive computing device, and adigital appliance. Examples may include a PDA, a cell phone, aBlackberry appliance, an on-board computing device, such as in a car,boat, and/or aircraft, an X-Box, a home gateway, a set-top box, apoint-of-sale terminal, a digital camera, a TiVo, and an automatedteller machine. By way of further example, the electronic device mayinclude a computing device and the query may relate to an aspect of thecomputing device. The electronic device may include an electricalappliance and the query may relate to an aspect of the electricalappliance. The electronic device may include a limited resourcecomputing device and the query may relate to an aspect of the limitedresource computing device. The electronic device may include a pervasivecomputing device and the query may relate to an aspect of the pervasivecomputing device. The electronic device may include a digital applianceand the query may relate to an aspect of the digital appliance.

At search operation 230, an assistance file is searched for anassistance response correlating to the query. Searching the assistancefile may include searching an assistance file stored in a storage mediaassociated with the electronic device, such as the system memory 22 ofFIG. 1, or coupled with the electronic device. Alternatively, theassistance file may be stored and/or searched remotely and coupled witha functionality of the operation 230, such as by a network, such as aLAN, a WAN, or the Internet.

At assistance operation 240, an assistance response is providedcorrelating to the query through a second interface of the electronicdevice. In an embodiment, the assistance response provided may includevisually providing an assistance with a physical element of the device,such as blinking a light associated with the physical element. Forexample, the physical element may be a physical button and the light maybe a light emitting device incorporated into the button. In thisexample, the assistance may include blinking the LED associated with thebutton. In an alternative embodiment, the second interface may includean LED and a third interface may include a speaker. The providedassistance may include providing an audible assistance presentation fromthe speaker and blinking the LED appropriately during the presentation.The audible assistance presentation may include a spoken presentationthat includes a word or words. The providing an assistance further mayinclude tactilely providing an assistance presentation.

The provided assistance may include guidance through a processassociated with the aspect of the device, a description of the aspect ofthe device, a showing how the aspect of the device works, and/or aninteractive tutorial. The assistance may be provided in any manner, suchas a visual presentation, an audio presentation, a spoken presentation,a tactile presentation, and/or a combination of two or more of thesemanners of presentation.

In an embodiment, the second interface may be a second user interface.The second user interface may include a visual display, a graphicaldisplay, and a graphical user interface. The second user interface mayinclude an audio display, such as an acoustic speaker. Further, thesecond user interface may include a tactile interface, such as avibrating component. The operational flow then proceeds to an endoperation.

The first interface and the second interface may be at leastsubstantially similar, and the second user interface may include thefirst user interface. In an embodiment, the first interface and thesecond interface may comprise a same physical or virtual element of theelectronic device. The first interface and the second interface mayshare a same physical or virtual element, but be separately activatedwhen the physical or virtual element is in different activate modes orstates. For example, an interface having a physical structure and in afirst state may function as the first interface, and in a second statemay function as the second interface. In this example, a single physicalbutton interface may have a plurality of interface states. Continuingwith these examples, a physical button associated with an electronicdevice may have normal operating function related to the electronicdevice. Upon activation of an assistance manager and entry into anassistance mode, the same physical button transitions to a first stateand functions as the first interface that receives a query, such as atthe query operation 220. Upon occurrence of an event, such as receipt ofthe query at the query operation 220, or finding an assistancecorrelating to the query at the search operation 230, the same physicalbutton transitions to a second state. In the second state, the physicalbutton functions as the second interface that provides assistancecorrelating to the query, such as at the provide operation 240.

In another example, an interface, such as a physical button, mayfunction as a first interface when operated in a first mode and functionas a second interface when operated in a second mode. In this example, asingle physical button may function as a first interface when pressedquickly once and as a second interface when pressed slowly once.Continuing with this example, the single physical button may function asa first interface when pressed once and as a second interface whenpressed twice in quick succession.

In an embodiment, the operational flow 200 that provides assistance maybe considered to be an electronic-device assistance manager. Theassistance manager may be implemented in any combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware configured to effect the operational flow 200that provides assistance, depending upon the design choices of thesystem designer. A further embodiment includes a computer-readable mediacontaining computer instructions which, when run on a computing device,cause the computing device to perform the operational flow 200 thatprovides assistance. The computer-readable media may include a computerstorage media, which may be carried by a computer-readable carrier, suchas a floppy disk. Alternatively, the computer-readable media may includea communications media.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating additional detail related to analternative embodiment of the exemplary query operation 220 of FIG. 3.At aspect selection operation 250, a selection corresponding to theelectronic device is received through the first interface. As describedin conjunction with query operation 220 of FIG. 3, the selectiondesignates a subject matter of the query, and may include a selection ofan aspect of the electronic device. The selection may include an aspectrelated to the electronic device, such as, a component associated withthe device, a feature associated with the electronic device, a functionassociated with the electronic device, a program associated with theelectronic device, and a process associated with the electronic device.In an embodiment, the first interface may include a first userinterface.

In an embodiment, the selection may be received by detecting a touch toa first user interface associated with the electronic device, such as abutton or a component. The touch may be received in any manner. Forexample, such as from a user body part physically contacting the firstuser interface, a user body part being proximate to the first userinterface, and a user body part having an orientation to the first userinterface. Similarly, for example, a touch may be received by a stylusphysically contacting the first user interface, being proximate to thefirst user interface, and having an orientation to the first userinterface.

The first user interface may be associated with an aspect of theelectronic device, such as a physical association. Using a button forexample, a first user interface may be included within a physicalstructure of a button, or the first user interface may be adjacent orproximate to the button. The association of a button or component andthe first user interface may include a logical association. By a way offurther example, an association may include a touch sensitive portion ofa visual display surface. When the visual display surface displays animage or icon visually associated with an aspect of an electronicdevice, a touch to the displayed image or icon, or a portion of thevisual display surface proximate to the displayed image or icon, may bedetected and received as a selection through an interface logicallyassociated with the electronic device, or an interface logicallyassociated with an aspect of the electronic device.

In another embodiment, the selection may be received by detecting asound or word. For example, the first user interface may include amicrophone and processing capability to detect a sound or spoken wordcorresponding to a selection related to the electronic device, or to anaspect of the electronic device. For example, detecting a signalcorresponding to the spoken words “lens cover” selects a lens cover of adigital camera, and is received as a selection related to the electronicdevice, or to the lens cover of the electronic device.

At assistance selection operation 260, a selection corresponding to anassistance request is received. In an embodiment, the selection isreceived through a third interface of the electronic device, and thethird interface may include a third user interface. The receiving aselection corresponding to an assistance request associated with theselection may include detecting a touch to the third user interface. Thethird user interface may include a button. The third user interface mayinclude at least one predetermined query. The selection corresponding toan assistance request may include a request for a description offunctionality, a request for a description of process, a request forinstruction, a request for information, and/or a request for guidance.The request for guidance may include a request for a guidance related toreplicating a previous operation of the device. The receiving aselection corresponding to an assistance request may include receiving aselection corresponding to an assistance request selected from aplurality of selections.

At least two of first, second, and third user interfaces may be at leastsubstantially similar. In an embodiment, and similar to the embodimentof the exemplary operational flow 200 that provides an assistancedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 3, at least two of the firstinterface, the second interface, and the third interface may comprise asame physical or virtual device. At least two of the interfaces mayshare a same physical or virtual device, but be separately activatedwhen the physical or virtual device is in a different mode or state.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 270that provides an additional assistance, supplementing the exemplaryoperational flow 200 described in conjunction with FIG. 3. The exemplaryoperational flow 270 provides an additional assistance. After a startoperation, and after the provide assistance operation 240 of FIG. 3, theexemplary operation 270 moves to a receive input operation 280. At thereceive input operation 280, an input relating to the provide assistanceoperation 240 is received. The input may be received through anyinterface, including one or more of the user interfaces described inconjunction with the exemplary operational flow 200 and FIG. 3. Inaddition, the input may be received through an addition interface of theelectronic device. The input relating to the provide assistanceoperation 240 may include a request for an additional assistancecorrelating to the assistance provided by the provide assistanceoperation 240. Alternatively, the input responsive to the provideassistance operation 240 may include a request that further correlatesto the aspect of the device.

At a search operation 285, the assistance file is searched for anotherassistance response correlating to the input relating to the provideassistance operation 240. The assistance file may be searched in amanner substantially similar to the searching an assistance file at thesearch operation 230. At provide assistance operation 290, the anotherassistance is provided. The another assistance may be any type ofassistance, including one or more of the types of assistance describedabove, and may include an interactive question and answer format, and atutorial format. The exemplary operation 270 then moves to an endoperation.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system 300 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The system 300 includes a digital camera 310 having imagecapture and image storage functionality. The digital camera 310 includesa computing device (not shown), such as the thin computing device 20described in conjunction with FIG. 1. The digital camera 310 alsoincludes a plurality of interfaces 320. The plurality of interfaces 320includes a display 332. In alternative embodiments, the display 332 mayprovide a textual, a visual display, and a graphical display. In afurther embodiment, the display 332 may include touch screenfunctionality operable to accept a user input. The plurality of userinterfaces 320 of the camera 310 also includes a microphone 334, aspeaker 338, and a plurality of tangible buttons 344A-344E. One or moreof the tangible buttons may include a light emitter, such as a lightemitting device 346A. Further, one or more of the tangible buttons344A-344E may include a vibrator operable to provide a tactile display.The display 332 and the tangible buttons 344A-344E may have anyfunctionality appropriate to the digital camera. For example, button344E may be assigned to operate a camera element, such as a shutterfunction. Button 344A may be assigned an “enter” function, and buttons344B and 344C may be respectively assigned a scroll up and scroll downfunction relative to a menu displayed on the display 332. Button 344Dmay be assigned to operate another camera element, such as a lens zoomfunction. The digital camera 310 also includes context sensors 350,which may be selected, for example, to produce relevant informationabout an environment extrinsic to the digital camera. The contextsensors 350 are illustrated as an external temperature sensor 352 and alight intensity sensor 354. The digital camera 310 further includes aUSB port 340, and a network port 342.

The digital camera 310 also includes a system memory (not shown), suchas the system memory 22 of the thin computing device 20 of FIG. 1. Thesystem memory includes saved operating systems and programs necessary tooperate the digital camera 310, and also includes an assistance manageroperable to implement the operational flow 200 that provides assistanceof FIG. 3. The system memory also includes an assistance file, which maybe included in the assistance manager. The assistance file includes abody of assistance information intended to help a user in response to aplurality of user-selected requests related to the digital camera 310.The assistance manager and/or the assistance file may be provided by anoriginal equipment manufacturer of the camera 310, or it may be providedby a third party.

The assistance manager includes operability to receive a query relatedto the digital camera 310 through an interface of the plurality ofinterfaces 320. For example, in an embodiment, detecting a user touch tothe button 344D may be received as an instruction to activate theassistance manager, such as the assistance manager at operation number210 of FIG. 3. Activation of the assistance manager transitions the userinterfaces 320 to a first state. A detected subsequent user touch toanother user interface of the plurality of user interfaces 320 may bereceived by the assistance manager a query related to the digital camera310.

Alternatively, a detected subsequent user touch to another userinterface of the plurality of user interfaces 320 may be received by theassistance manager as a selection corresponding to an aspect of thedigital camera 310. The user touch may be detected by a user interfacephysically incorporated in the aspect of the digital camera 310 orproximate thereto.

In an alternative embodiment, the query may be received by detecting asignal responsive to a sound or voice received by the microphone 334.For example, a detection and recognition of a signal responsive to aspoken “help” command to the microphone 334 may be received as aninstruction to activate the assistance manager. Further, a detection andrecognition of a signal responsive to spoken words “shutter button” maybe received by the assistance manager has a selection corresponding toan aspect of the digital camera 310.

The assistance manager includes operability to provide assistance, suchas information, advice, guidance, and instructions, through at least onethe plurality of interfaces 320 of the digital camera 310, such as thedisplay 332, the tangible buttons 344A-344E, and the speaker 338. In anembodiment, the provided assistance may include any type ofpresentation, such as a visual presentation, an audio presentation, aspoken presentation, a tactile presentation, and a combination of two ormore of the foregoing presentation modes. In another embodiment, theassistance file includes operability to provide interactive assistancewith additional user inputs being received through the camera userinterfaces 320.

An alternative embodiment implements the query operation 220 in twoparts as described in conjunction with FIG. 4. Activation of theassistance manager transitions the user interfaces 320 to a first state.A detected subsequent user touch to another user interface of theplurality of user interfaces 320 may be received by the assistancemanager as a received aspect selection operation 250, as described inconjunction with FIG. 4. On receiving the selection 250, the assistancemanager transitions the user interfaces to a second state. A detectedsubsequent user touch to a user interface of the plurality of userinterfaces 320 may be received as selection corresponding to anassistance request through the second user interface of the electronicdevice. For example, once the assistance manager transitions the userinterfaces 320 to the second state, information may be displayed on thedisplay 332 indicating assistance selections associated with the buttons344A-344C. The buttons may be appropriately referenced by informationdisplayed on the display 332, such as “show me,” “demonstrate,” and“guide me” respectively. A selection corresponding to an assistancerequest is received by the assistance manager as received selectioncorresponding to an assistance selection operation 260 as described inconjunction with FIG. 4.

In the above alternative environment, detection of a signal responsiveto a sound or voice received by the microphone 334, the assistanceselection operation 260 may be received by detection and recognition ofa signal responsive to spoken commands received by the microphone, suchas “show me,” “demonstrate,” and “guide me.”

In operation of an embodiment, a user interested in receiving assistancerelated to the digital camera activates the assistance manager by a longtouch to at least one interface of the plurality of interfaces 320. Inthis illustrative operation of an embodiment, the button 344D in along-touch mode is designated as an assistance manager activationbutton. The assistance manager is activated in response to the button344D receiving a long touch. The assistance manager transitions thebuttons 344A-344E to a first state. The user inputs the selectioncorresponding to an aspect of the digital camera 310 by touching aninterface associated with the aspect. For example, a user touch may bereceived at button 344E, the shutter button, by an interface normallyassociated with the shutter button. Because the assistance manager hasbeen activated and the buttons are in a first state, the touch to thebutton 344E is received as an-input selection corresponding to an aspectof the digital camera, the shutter button. The assistance manager thentransitions the buttons 344A-344E to a second state and displays aplurality of assistance requests which are visually associated with thebuttons 344A-344C. The buttons 344A-344C may be appropriately referenceby information displayed on the display 332, such as “show me,”“demonstrate,” and “guide me” respectively. The association may be bylead lines indicating a visual association between a respective word andtheir respective button. A user touch to one of the buttons 344A-344C isreceived by the assistance manager as a selection corresponding to anassistance request. For example, if the button 344A is visuallyassociated with “demonstrate,” a user touch detected at an interfaceassociated with button 344A is received as a selection corresponding toan assistance request for a demonstration of the shutter button.

In an alternative embodiment, voice commands may be used to implementpart or all of the operational flow 200 that provides assistance.Selections and inputs may be received from signals responsive to soundsand words detected by the microphone 334 and recognized. For example,the activation of the assistance manager program, the selectioncorresponding to an aspect of the digital camera 310, and the assistancerequest, may occur in response to a received sound, spoken word, and/ora spoken phrase. For example, a user may say “assistance manager” toactivate the assistance manager, say “shutter button” as a selectioncorresponding to an aspect of the digital camera, and say“demonstration” as a selection corresponding to an assistance request.

The assistance manager searches the assistance file saved in the systemmemory of the thin computing device included in the digital camera 310for an assistance correlating with the user-selected query for ademonstration of the shutter button. An assistance is providedcorrelating to the query through at least one interface of the pluralityof interfaces 320.

The digital camera 310 provides assistance correlating to the user querythrough the user interfaces 320 of the digital camera. For example, theassistance may include providing in the display 332 a demonstrativevisual presentation of the functions and capability of the shutterbutton 344E. The assistance may further include flashing the lightemitter (not shown) associated with the shutter button 344E asappropriate to indicate when the shutter button should be pressed. Theassistance may also provide a voice track through the speaker 338, thevoice track may be coordinated with the visual presentation in thedisplay 332 and flashing the light emitter associated with the shutterbutton 344E.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 400that receives an assistance presentation. After a start operation, theoperation moves to an input operation 410. At the input operation 410, aquery related to an aspect of an electronic device is inputted through afirst interface of the electronic device. The query may typically beinputted by a human user. At wait operation 430, an inputter waits whilean assistance file is searched for an assistance response correlating tothe input operation 410. At receive assistance operation 440, apresentation of the assistance response correlating to the query isreceived through a third interface of the electronic device.

At least one of the first and second interfaces may be user interfaces,and the first and second interfaces may be at least substantiallysimilar. In an embodiment, and similar to the embodiment of theexemplary operational flow 200 that provides an assistance described inconjunction with FIG. 3, the first interface and the second interfacemay comprise a same physical or virtual device. The first and secondinterfaces may share a same physical or a same virtual device, but beseparately activatable when the physical or virtual device is in adifferent activating mode or state.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 450that receives an assistance presentation. After a start operation, theoperation moves to a selection operation 460. At selection operation460, a selection corresponding an aspect of an electronic device isinputted through a first user interface associated with the electronicdevice. At request operation 465, an assistance request related to theaspect is inputted through a second user interface associated with theelectronic device. The selection and request may typically be inputtedby a human user. At wait operation 470, the inputter waits while anassistance file is searched for the assistance presentation correlatingto the assistance request. At receive assistance operation 475, anassistance presentation correlating to the assistance request isreceived through a third user interface associated with the electronicdevice. The exemplary operational flow 450 then proceeds to an endoperation.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 500that provides contextual assistance. After a start operation, theoperation moves to a help activation operation 505. At help activationoperation 505, an assistance manager is activated. The assistancemanager may include a circuit, a module, and/or instructions, such ascomputer-readable instructions, for example, a program, process, and/orapplication operating on an electronic device, that implement theexemplary operation 500 that provides assistance.

At query receive operation 510, a query related to an electronic deviceis received through a first user interface associated with theelectronic device. In an embodiment, the first user interface mayinclude a first user interface associated with an aspect of theelectronic device. The association may include any form of associationwith the aspect of the electronic device, such as, for example, aphysical association and a virtual association.

In a further embodiment, the first user interface may include a button.The button may include anything that accepts a user input expression.For example, the button may include a tangible button, and a virtualbutton. By way of further example, the receiving a selection of anaspect of the electronic device through a first user interfaceassociated with the electronic device may include detecting a touchthrough a first user interface associated with the electronic device.

The query may be received in any manner through the first userinterface. For example, the query may be received by detecting a touchto the first user interface, by detecting a sound through the first userinterface, and/or by detecting a spoken word. The electronic device mayinclude any type of electronic device. For example, an electronic devicemay include a computing device, a pervasive computing device, a limitedresource computing device, and/or an electrical appliance. The query mayinclude a query related to an aspect of the electronic device.

At context operation 515, a context of the electronic device is sensed.The sensed context may include any contextual parameter related to theelectronic device. For example, the sensed context may include sensing acontext extrinsic to the electronic device, an environment extrinsic tothe electronic device, and/or a context intrinsic to the electronicdevice.

The intrinsic context may include any intrinsic context or state of theelectronic device. For example, sensing a context intrinsic to theelectronic device may include sensing a configuration context, asoftware context intrinsic to the electronic device, and/or a hardwarecontext.

The query receive operation 510 may include receiving a query related toan electronic device and a sensed context of the electronic device. Forexample, a query may include a request for assistance correlating totaking a portrait where a sensed context at context operation 515includes a sensed mountain background context.

At search operation 520, an assistance file is searched for anassistance correlating with the query and the sensed context. Theassistance file may have any association with the electronic device. Forexample, the assistance file may be saved in a storage physicallyincorporated in the electronic device, a storage local to the electronicdevice, and saved in a storage accessible to the electronic device overa network.

At broadcast operation 525, an assistance correlating to the query andthe sensed context is provided through a second user interfaceassociated with the electronic device. The provided assistance may beany assistance correlating to both the query and the sensed context. Forexample, the provided assistance may include a guided responseassistance, an interactive tutorial assistance, an assistancecorrelating with a physical element of the electronic device, a guidancecorrelating with a process associated with the electronic device,showing how an aspect of the device works, and/or a description of anaspect of the electronic device. The provided assistance may bepresented in any manner through the second user interface. For example,the provided assistance may include visually providing an assistance,such as blinking a light emitter associated with a physical element ofthe electronic device, or displaying text, graphics or pictures on avisual display associated with the electronic device. Further, theprovided assistance may include audibly providing an assistance, such asa spoken assistance, and/or tactilely providing an assistance, such asby vibrating a physical element of the electronic device.

In an embodiment, the first user interface may include an element of theelectronic device in a first state and the second user interface mayinclude the element of the electronic device in a second state. In analternative embodiment, the first user interface may include an elementof the electronic device in a first mode and the second user interfacemay include the element of the electronic device in a second mode. Thesecond user interface may include the first user interface.

The operational flow 500 then proceeds to an end operation.

In an embodiment, the exemplary operational flow 500 that providescontextual assistance may be considered to be an electronic deviceassistance manager. The assistance manager may be implemented in anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe operational flow 500 that provides assistance, depending upon thedesign choices of the system designer. A further embodiment includes acomputer-readable media containing computer instructions which, when runon a computing device, cause the computing device to perform theoperational flow 500 that provides assistance. The computer-readablemedia may include a computer storage media, which may be carried by acomputer-readable carrier, such as a floppy disk. Alternatively, thecomputer-readable media may include a communications media.

The exemplary operational flow 500 that provides contextual assistancemay be implemented in any device or item where enhanced contextual userassistance may be advantageously employed. For example, the exemplaryoperational flow 500 may be implemented in the system 300 described inconjunction with FIG. 6. The digital camera 310 of the system 300includes context sensors 350, which are illustrated as the temperaturesensor 352 and the light intensity sensor 354. In this example, theassistance manager includes operability to implement the exemplaryoperational flow 500. Continuing with the operational example describedin conjunction with FIG. 6, a user interested in receiving assistanceactivates the assistance manager at help activation operation 505 by along touch to the button 344D.

At query receive operation 510, the assistance manager operates in amanner similar to that described in conjunction with FIG. 6 for queryoperation 220 where a touch to the shutter button 344E is detected as aquery. At context operation 515, the assistance manager operates tosense a context of the electronic device. In this example, the contextis sensed through the external temperature sensor 352 and the lightintensity sensor 354. If for example, the context of the digital camera310 is a snowy environment on a sunny day, the external temperaturesensor 352 would sense temperatures at or below freezing, and the lightintensity sensor 354 would sense strong sunlight. By way of furtherexample, if the context of the digital camera 310 is a tropical beach,the external temperature sensor 352 would sense a warm temperature andthe light sensor 354 would sense bright sunlight. In another example, ifthe context of the digital camera 310 was indoors under incandescentlighting, the external temperature sensor 352 would sense a roomtemperature and the light sensor 354 would sense a light frequencypattern corresponding to incandescent lighting.

At the search operation 520, the assistance manager searches anassistance file for an assistance correlating to both the query relatedto the user selected shutter button 344E and the sensed context. Usingthe above example where the digital camera is in a snowy environment ona sunny day, the assistance manager program may search an assistancefile for a user assistance correlating to selecting shutter speeds usedin a bright sunlight and cold temperature environment.

At the broadcast operation 525, the assistance manager provides a userassistance correlating to the query and the sensed context through asecond user interface of the digital camera 310. Using the above exampleof the snow scene, the provided assistance may include recommending afast shutter speed. The provided assistance may include a recommendationto protect the camera lens from fogging in the cold environment. Thesecond user interface may include any user interface associated with theelectronic device, and may include a combination of two or more userinterfaces. For example, in an embodiment, the second user interfaceincludes a visual display. The visual display may include a visualdisplay surface, such an liquid crystal display, and/or may include alight emitter, such as small light emitting diode incorporated in aphysical button.

In a further embodiment, the query receive operation 510 may includereceiving a query related to an electronic device and a sensed contextof the electronic device. A context sensor may include a programoperable to recognize certain extrinsic environments from imagesacquired through a lens of the digital camera 310. The assistance managemay receive an user query requesting assistance in taking a portrait ina context of “this background,” and receive an image of “thisbackground” resulting from the user capturing an image of “thisbackground” through the lens of the digital camera 310. At the contextoperation 515, a recognition aspect of the assistance manager determinesthe context of “this background” from the user captured image. Forexample, if the recognition aspect of the assistance manager determinesincludes a mountain background, 515 includes a sensed mountainbackground context. Continuing with this embodiment, at the searchoperation 520, the assistance manager searches an assistance file for anassistance correlating to both the query related to the user selectedshutter button 344E and the sensed extrinsic context acquired inresponse to a user action in capturing “this background” through thedigital camera 310.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 550that provides contextual assistance. After a start operation, theoperation moves to a help activation operation 555, where an assistancemanager is activated. The assistance manager may include a circuit, amodule, and/or instructions, such as computer-readable instructions, forexample, a program, process, and/or application operating on anelectronic device, that implement the exemplary operation 550 thatprovides assistance. At designation operation 560, a selectioncorresponding to an aspect of an electronic device is received through afirst user interface of the electronic device. In an embodiment, thefirst user interface of the electronic device associated with theaspect. The selection corresponding to an aspect of an electronic devicemay be received through the first user interface in any manner. Forexample, the selection may be received by detecting a touch to the firstuser interface, and/or by detecting a sound through the first userinterface, which may include detecting a spoken word.

At request operation 565, a selection corresponding to an assistancerequest related to the aspect of the electronic device is receivedthrough a second user interface of the electronic device. The first userinterface and/or the second user interfaces may generally include anyconfiguration, including configurations previously described. Severalexemplary configurations are described in conjunction with the exemplaryoperational flows 200 and 270 of FIGS. 3 and 4 that provide assistance.The receiving a selection corresponding to an assistance request througha second user interface may generally be received in any manner,including any manner previously described that receives a selectionthrough a user interface. In an alternative embodiment, the selectionmay include a selection corresponding to a predetermined assistancerequest related to the aspect of the electronic device. For example,predetermined assistance requests may include any request related to theelectronic device, such as a group of “show me,” “demonstrate,” and“guide me.” In this alternative embodiment, at request operation 565, auser selects at least one from among a group of predetermined assistancerequests.

At context operation 570, a context of the electronic device is sensed.The context operation 570 may be substantially similar to the contextoperation 515 of the exemplary process 500 that provides an assistancedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 9. At search operation 575, anassistance file is searched for an assistance correlating to theselection corresponding to an assistance request and the sensed context.The search operation 575 may be substantially similar to the searchoperation 520 of the exemplary process 500 that provides an assistancedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 9.

At broadcast operation 580, the assistance correlating to the assistancerequest related to the aspect of the electronic device and theenvironmental context is provided through a third user interface of theelectronic device. The broadcast operation 580 may be substantiallysimilar to the help operation 525 of the exemplary process 500 thatprovides an assistance described in conjunction with FIG. 9. The threeuser interfaces may be related in any suitable, selected manner. Forexample, in an embodiment the first user interface includes an elementof the electronic device in a first state, and the second user interfaceincludes the element of the electronic device in a second state. Inanother embodiment, the first user interface includes an element of theelectronic device in a first state, the second user interface includesthe element of the electronic device in a second state, and the thirduser interface includes the element of the electronic device in a thirdstate. In a further embodiment, one of the first user interface, thesecond user interface, and the third user interface includes an elementof the electronic device in a first state, and another of the first userinterface, the second user interface, and the third user interfaceinclude the element of the electronic device in a second state. In anembodiment, the first user interface includes an element of theelectronic device in a first mode and the second user interface includesthe element of the electronic device in a second mode. In anotherembodiment, the first user interface includes an element of theelectronic device in a first mode, the second user interface includesthe element of the electronic device in a second mode, and the thirduser interface includes the element of the electronic device in a thirdmode. In a further embodiment, one of the first user interface, thesecond user interface, and the third user interface include an elementof the electronic device in a first mode, and another of the first userinterface, the second user interface, and the third user interfaceinclude the element of the electronic device in a second mode.

In an alternative embodiment, the exemplary operational flow 550 thatprovides assistance further includes the exemplary operational flow 270,which provides additional assistance as described in conjunction withFIG. 3.

In an embodiment, the exemplary operational flow 550 that providescontextual assistance may be considered to be an electronic deviceassistance manager. The assistance manager may be implemented in anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe operational flow 550 that provides assistance, depending upon thedesign choices of the system designer. A further embodiment includes acomputer-readable media containing computer instructions which, when runon a computing device, cause the computing device to perform theoperational flow 550 that provides assistance. The computer-readablemedia may include a computer storage media, which may be carried by acomputer-readable carrier, such as a floppy disk. Alternatively, thecomputer-readable media may include a communications media.

The exemplary operational flow 550 that provides contextual assistancemay be implemented in any device or item where enhanced contextual userassistance may be advantageously employed. For example, the exemplaryoperational flow 550 may be implemented in the system 300 described inconjunction with FIGS. 6 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 700that provides assistance. After a start operation, the operation movesto a help activation operation 705. At help activation operation 705, anassistance manager is activated.

At query operation 710, a query related to an item is received through afirst user interface associated with the item. In an embodiment, theitem includes a computing device. The first user interface may befurther associated with the computing device. In an embodiment, thefirst user interface may include a first user interface associated withan aspect of the item. The association may include any form ofassociation with the aspect of the item, such as, for example, aphysical association and a virtual association.

The query may include a query related to an aspect of the item. Thequery may be received in any manner through the first user interface.For example, the query may be received by detecting a touch to the firstuser interface, by detecting a sound through the first user interface,and/or by detecting a spoken word.

In a further embodiment, the first user interface may include a button.The button may include anything that accepts a user input expression.For example, the button may include a tangible button, and a virtualbutton. By way of further example, the receiving a selection of anaspect of the item through a first user interface associated with theitem may include detecting a touch through a first user interfaceassociated with the item.

The item may include any type of item. For example, an embodiment mayinclude a vehicle, such as an automobile, a boat, a ship, and/or anaircraft. By way of further example, other embodiments may include anappliance, such as a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave oven, and/or anHVAC system. By way of additional example, embodiments may includemanufacturing equipment and/or processing equipment.

At search operation 720, an assistance file is searched for anassistance correlating with the query. The assistance file may have anyassociation with the item. For example, in an embodiment, the assistancefile may be saved in a digital storage physically incorporated in acomputing device associated with the item.

At broadcast operation 725, an assistance correlating to the query isprovided through a second user interface associated with the item. In anembodiment, the item includes a computing device, and the assistancecorrelating to the query may be provided through a second user interfaceassociated with a computing device. The provided assistance may includeany material and/or information that may be helpful to a user. Forexample, the provided assistance may include a guided responseassistance, an interactive tutorial assistance, an assistancecorrelating with a physical element of the item, a guidance correlatingwith a process associated with the item, showing how an aspect of thedevice works, and/or a description of an aspect of the item. Theprovided assistance may be presented in any manner through the seconduser interface. For example, the provided assistance may includevisually providing an assistance, such as blinking a light emitterassociated with a physical element of the item, or displaying text,graphics or pictures on a visual display associated with the item.Further, the provided assistance may include audibly providing anassistance, such as a spoken assistance, and/or tactilely providing anassistance, such as by vibrating a physical element of the item.

In an embodiment, the first user interface may include an element of theitem in a first state and the second user interface may include theelement of the item in a second state. In an alternative embodiment, thefirst user interface may include an element of the item in a first modeand the second user interface may include the element of the item in asecond mode. The second user interface may include the first userinterface.

The operational flow 700 then proceeds to an end operation.

In an embodiment, the exemplary operational flow 700 that providesassistance may be considered an assistance manager. The assistancemanager may include a circuit, a module, and/or instructions, such ascomputer-readable instructions. For example, instructions may include aprogram, process, and/or application operating on a computing devicethat implement the exemplary operational flow 700 that providesassistance. The assistance manager may be implemented in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect theoperational flow 700 that provides assistance, depending upon the designchoices of the system designer. A further embodiment includes acomputer-readable media containing computer instructions which, when runon a computing device, cause the computing device to perform theoperational flow 700 that provides assistance. The computer-readablemedia may include a computer storage media, which may be carried by acomputer-readable carrier, such as a floppy disk. Alternatively, thecomputer-readable media may include a communications media.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operational flow 750that provides assistance. After a start operation, the operation movesto a help activation operation 755, where an assistance manager isactivated.

At a designation operation 760, a selection corresponding to an aspectof an item is received through a first user interface of the computingdevice. In an embodiment, the first user interface of the item may beassociated with the aspect. In another embodiment, the item includescomputing device and the aspect is associated with computing device. Theselection corresponding to an aspect of an item may be received throughthe first user interface in any manner. For example, the selection maybe received by detecting a touch to the first user interface, and/or bydetecting a sound through the first user interface, which may includedetecting a spoken word.

At request operation 765, a selection corresponding to an assistancerequest related to the aspect of the item is received through a seconduser interface of the item. The first user interface and/or the seconduser interface may generally include any configuration, includingconfigurations previously described. Several exemplary configurationsare described in conjunction with the exemplary operational flows 200and 220 of FIGS. 3 and 4 that provide assistance. The receiving aselection corresponding to an assistance request through a second userinterface may generally be received in any manner, including any mannerpreviously described that receives a selection through a user interface.In an alternative embodiment, the selection may include a selectioncorresponding to a predetermined assistance request related to theaspect of the item. For example, predetermined assistance requests mayinclude any request related to the item, such as a group of “show me,”“demonstrate,” and “guide me.” In this alternative embodiment, atrequest operation 765, a user selects at least one from among a group ofpredetermined assistance requests.

At search operation 775, an assistance file is searched for anassistance correlating to the selection corresponding to the assistancerequest received at request operation 765. The search operation 775 maybe substantially similar to the search operation 720 of the exemplaryoperational flow 700 that provides an assistance described inconjunction with FIG. 11.

At broadcast operation 780, the assistance correlating to the assistancerequest related to the aspect of the item is provided through a thirduser interface of the item. The broadcast operation 780 may besubstantially similar to the broadcast operation 725 of the exemplaryoperational flow 700 that provides an assistance described inconjunction with FIG. 11. The three user interfaces may be related inany suitable, selected manner. For example, in an embodiment the firstuser interface includes an element of the item in a first state, and thesecond user interface includes the element of the item in a secondstate. In another embodiment, the first user interface includes anelement of the item in a first state, the second user interface includesthe element of the item in a second state, and the third user interfaceincludes the element of the item in a third state. In a furtherembodiment, one of the first user interface, the second user interface,and the third user interface includes an element of the item in a firststate, and another of the first user interface, the second userinterface, and the third user interface include the element of the itemin a second state. In an embodiment, the first user interface includesan element of the item in a first mode and the second user interfaceincludes the element of the item in a second mode. In anotherembodiment, the first user interface includes an element of the item ina first mode, the second user interface includes the element of the itemin a second mode, and the third user interface includes the element ofthe item in a third mode. In a further embodiment, one of the first userinterface, the second user interface, and the third user interfaceinclude an element of the item in a first mode, and another of the firstuser interface, the second user interface, and the third user interfaceinclude the element of the item in a second mode.

In an alternative embodiment, the exemplary operational flow 750 thatprovides assistance may further include the exemplary operation 270,which provides additional assistance as described in conjunction withFIG. 5.

In an embodiment, the exemplary operational flow 750 that providesassistance may be considered an assistance manager. The assistancemanager may include a circuit, a module, and/or instructions, such ascomputer-readable instructions. For example, instructions may includecomputer-readable instructions, such as, a program, process, and/orapplication operating on a computing device of an item that implementsthe exemplary operational flow 750 that provides assistance. Theassistance manager may be implemented in any combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware configured to effect the operational flow 750that provides assistance, depending upon the design choices of thesystem designer. A further embodiment includes a computer-readable mediacontaining computer instructions which, when run on a computing device,cause the computing device to perform the operational flow 750 thatprovides assistance. The computer-readable media may include a computerstorage media, which may be carried by a computer-readable carrier, suchas a floppy disk. Alternatively, the computer-readable media may includea communications media. The exemplary operational flow 750 that providesassistance may be implemented in any item where enhanced user assistancemay be advantageously employed.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary system 600 representative of an item inwhich embodiments, such as the exemplary operational flow 700 and theexemplary operational flow 750, may be implemented. The exemplary system600 of FIG. 13 illustrates a vehicular environment, such as anautomobile, and/or a truck. The exemplary system 600 includes an enginecontrol module 602, a media center module 604, a suspension module 606,a power train module 608, the traction/braking module 610, a passengerrestraint module 612, a climate control module 614, a body controlmodule 616, and a context sensor module 618. These modules arerepresentative of any module or modules that may be used in a vehicularenvironment. One or more of these modules may have one or more userinterfaces available to a driver, a passenger, and/or a service person.The exemplary system 600 also includes a computing device 620. Themodules 602-618 and the computing device 620 are coupled by a system bus601.

FIG. 14 illustrates user interfaces 640 of an exemplary embodiment ofthe computing device 620 of the exemplary system 600. The computingdevice 620 may be any type of computing device. For example, thecomputing device 620 may include the thin computing device 20 describedin conjunction with FIG. 1, and/or the computing device 100 described inconjunction with FIG. 2. In an alternative embodiment, the computingdevice 620 may be implemented as a part of another module, for example,such as the media center module 604.

The computing device 620 includes the plurality of user interfaces 640.The plurality of user interfaces 640 may include any number and type ofinterfaces. As illustrated in FIG. 14, an embodiment of the plurality ofinterfaces 640 includes a display 632. The display 632 may provide atextual, a visual display, and/or a graphical display. In a furtherembodiment, the display 632 may include touch screen functionalityoperable to accept a user input. Also as illustrated in FIG. 14, anembodiment of the plurality of user interfaces 640 also includes amicrophone 634, a speaker 638, and a plurality of tangible buttons644A-644E. One or more of the tangible buttons may include a lightemitter, such as a light emitting device 646A. Further, one or more ofthe tangible buttons 644A-644E may include a vibrator operable toprovide a tactile and/or audible display. The display 632 and thetangible buttons 644A-644E may have any functionality appropriate to thesystem 600. The user interface 640 also includes a cursor control 642providing user navigation on the display 632. The computing device 620may also include context sensors (not shown), which may be selected, forexample, to produce relevant information about an environment extrinsicand/or intrinsic to the system 600. The computing device 620 may furtherinclude a USB port and a network port (not shown).

The computing device 620 also includes a system memory (not shown), suchas the system memory 22 of the thin computing device 20 of FIG. 1. Thesystem memory includes saved operating systems and programs necessary tooperate the computing device 620, and also includes an assistancemanager operable to implement operations that provide assistance, suchas the exemplary operational flows 700 and 750 described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively. In an embodiment, the system memorymay also include saved operating systems and programs necessary tooperate and/or interface with one or more of the modules of the system600. For example, the system memory may include a program allowing userinput to the suspension module 606 through one or more interfaces of thecomputing devices 620.

The system memory also includes an assistance file, which may beincluded in the assistance manager. The assistance file includes a bodyof assistance information intended to help a user in response to aplurality of user-selected requests related to the item, illustrated asthe exemplary system 600. The assistance manager and/or the assistancefile may be provided by an original equipment manufacturer of theexemplary system 600, or it may be provided by a third party.

The assistance manager includes operability to receive a query relatedto the system 600 through one or more user interfaces. The userinterfaces of the system may include one or more user interfacesassociated with one or more of the modules 602-618, and the plurality ofuser interfaces 640 associated with computing device 620.

For example, in an embodiment implementing a query operation, such asthe operational flow 700 of FIG. 11, a user touch detected to the button644E may be received as an instruction to activate the assistancemanager, such as the assistance manager at operation 705 of FIG. 11.Activation of the assistance manager transitions the user interfaces 640of the computing device 620 and/or one or more user interfaces of themodules 602-620 of the system 600, to a first state. When the userinterfaces are in the first state, a detected user touch to a userinterface of the plurality of user interfaces 640 and/or another of themodules 602-618 of the system 600, is received by the assistance manageras query related to the system 600.

In an alternative embodiment, the query may be received by detecting asignal responsive to a sound or voice received by the microphone 634.For example, a detection and recognition of a signal responsive to aspoken “help” command to the microphone 634 may be received as aninstruction to activate the assistance manager. Further, a detection andrecognition of a signal responsive to spoken words “traction control”may be received by the assistance manager as a query corresponding tothe traction control module 610 aspect of the system 600.

The assistance manager includes operability to search an assistance filefor an assistance corresponding to the query as previously described.The assistance manager further includes operability to provideassistance, such as information, advice, guidance, and instructions. Theassistance may be provided through at least one of the plurality ofinterfaces 640 of the computing device 620, and/or at least one userinterface associated with one or more of the modules 602-618. Forexample, the assistance may be provided through user interfaces of thecomputing device 620, such as the display 632, the tangible buttons644A-644E, and the speaker 638. By way of further example, theassistance may be provided through a user interface associated with amodule, such as the climate control module 614. Using the climatecontrol module 614 as an illustrative example, an assistance may beprovided by blinking a light associated with a user button on a consoleassociated with the climate control system and the climate controlmodule 614. In an embodiment, the provided assistance may include anytype of presentation, such as a visual presentation, an audiopresentation, a spoken presentation, a tactile presentation, and acombination of two or more of the foregoing presentation modes. Inanother embodiment, the assistance file includes operability to provideinteractive assistance with additional user inputs being receivedthrough the user interfaces 640.

An alternative embodiment implements a two-part query operational flow,such as the operational flow 750 providing assistance described inconjunction with FIG. 12. Activation of the assistance managertransitions the user interfaces 640 of the computing device 620 and/orthe system 600 to a first state. When in the first state, a detectedtouch to a user interface is received by the assistance manager as areceived aspect selection operation 760, as described in conjunctionwith FIG. 12. On receiving the selection at the operation 760, theassistance manager transitions the user interfaces to a second state.When in the second state, a detected user touch to a user interface isreceived as selection corresponding to an assistance request 765, asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 12. In a further embodiment, forexample, after the assistance manager transitions the user interfaces tothe second state, information may be displayed on the display 632indicating predetermined assistance selections associated with thebuttons 644A-644E. In this example, three of the buttons may beappropriately referenced by information displayed on the display 632,such as “show me,” “demonstrate,” and “guide me” respectively. Aselection corresponding to an assistance request is received by theassistance manager as a received selection corresponding to anassistance request operation 765 as described in conjunction with FIG.12.

In an alternative embodiment of the assistance request operation 765,the assistance selection may be received by detecting a signalresponsive to a sound or voice received by the microphone 634. Thesignal responsive is recognized and received as a selectioncorresponding to an assistance request at the assistance electionoperation 765. For example, a signal responsive to spoken commands, suchas “show me,” “demonstrate,” and “guide me” may be recognized at theoperation 765 as a selection corresponding to an assistance requestembodied in a plain meaning of those words.

The assistance manager includes operability to search an assistance filefor an assistance correlating to the query as previously described. Theassistance manager further includes operability to provide assistance aspreviously described.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; theuse of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that incertain contexts the choice between hardware and software can becomesignificant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs.Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are variousvehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologiesdescribed herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/orfirmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context inwhich the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies aredeployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed andaccuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardwareand/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet againalternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles bywhich the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies describedherein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to theother in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon thecontext in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns(e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any ofwhich may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that opticalaspects of implementations will require optically-oriented hardware,software, and or firmware.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowdiagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar assuch block diagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examplescontain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understoodby those within the art that each function and/or operation within suchblock diagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can beimplemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range ofhardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Inone embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors(DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the artwill recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearingmedia used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signalbearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordabletype media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digitaltape, and computer memory; and transmission type media such as digitaland analog communication links using TDM or IP based communication links(e.g., packet links).

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from this subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of this subject matter describedherein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solelydefined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those withinthe art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in theappended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generallyintended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should beinterpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” shouldbe interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should beinterpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will befurther understood by those within the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will beexplicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitationno such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, thefollowing appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations.However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even whenthe same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “atleast one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or“an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one ormore”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used tointroduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled inthe art will recognize that such recitation should typically beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typicallymeans at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C”would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general sucha construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

The herein described aspects depict different components containedwithin, or connected with, different other components. It is to beunderstood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, andthat in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achievethe same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement ofcomponents to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated”such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any twocomponents herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can beseen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionalityis achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being“operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achievethe desired functionality, and any two components capable of being soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to eachother to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples ofoperably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateableand/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactableand/or wirelessly interacting components.

1. A method comprising: a. receiving a query related to an item througha first user interface associated with the item; and b. providing anassistance correlating to the query through a second user interfaceassociated with the item.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstuser interface includes an element of the item in a first state and thesecond user interface includes the element of the item in a secondstate.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user interfaceincludes an element of the item in a first mode and the second userinterface includes the element of the item in a second mode.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving a query related to an itemthrough a first user interface associated with the item includesreceiving a selection of an aspect of the item through a first userinterface associated with the item.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the receiving a query related to an item through a first userinterface includes receiving a selection corresponding to an assistancerequest.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a query relatedto an item through a first user interface includes at least one ofdetecting a touch through a first user interface, detecting a soundthrough the first user interface, or detecting a sound through the firstuser interface.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the item includes a vehicle and the receiving a query includesreceiving a query related to an aspect of the vehicle.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the item includes an appliance and the receiving aquery includes receiving a query related to an aspect of the appliance.12. The method of claim 1, wherein the item includes a manufacturingapparatus and the receiving query includes receiving a query related toan aspect of the manufacturing apparatus.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein the item includes a control system and the receiving a queryincludes receiving a query related to an aspect of the control system.14. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance includesproviding a user assistance.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein theproviding an assistance includes at least one of visually providing anassistance, audibly providing an assistance, providing a spokenassistance, or tactilely providing an assistance.
 16. (canceled) 17.(canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein theproviding an assistance includes at least one of providing a guidedresponse assistance, providing an interactive tutorial assistance,providing an assistance correlating with a physical element of the item,providing a guidance correlating with a process associated with theitem, providing a description of an aspect of the item, or providing anassistance showing how an aspect of the device works.
 20. (canceled) 21.(canceled)
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)26. The method of claim 1, further comprising: c. searching anassistance file for an assistance correlating with the query.
 27. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving a query related to an itemthrough a first user interface associated with the item includesreceiving a query related to an item having a computing device through afirst user interface associated with the computing device.
 28. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: c. sensing a context of the itemand wherein the providing an assistance correlating to the queryincludes providing an assistance correlating to the query and the sensedcontext of the item.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein sensing acontext of the item includes at least one of sensing a context extrinsicto the item, sensing an environment extrinsic to the item, or sensing acontext intrinsic to the item.
 30. (canceled)
 31. (canceled)
 32. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving a query related to an itemthrough a first user interface associated with the item includesreceiving a query related to an item including a computing devicethrough a first user interface associated with the computing device. 33.A computer-readable medium containing computer instructions which, whenrun on a computing device, cause the computing device to perform themethod of claim
 1. 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, whereinthe computer-readable medium includes a computer storage medium.
 35. Thecomputer storage medium of claim 34, wherein the computer storage mediumis carried by a computer-readable carrier.
 36. The computer-readablemedium of claim 33, wherein the computer-readable medium includes acommunications medium.
 37. A system comprising: a. an item having afirst user interface, a second user interface, and a computing device;and b. instructions which when implemented in the computing device causethe computing device to: (i) receive a query related to the item throughthe first user interface; and (ii) provide an assistance correlating tothe query through the second user interface.
 38. The system of claim 37,wherein the first user interface includes an element of the item in afirst state and the second user interface includes the element of theitem in a second state.
 39. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstuser interface includes an element of the item in a first mode and thesecond user interface includes the element of the item in a second mode.40. (canceled)
 41. The system of claim 37, wherein the first userinterface includes a button.
 42. (canceled)
 43. (canceled) 44.(canceled)
 45. The system of claim 37, wherein the second user interfaceincludes a visual display.
 46. (canceled)
 47. (canceled)
 48. The systemof claim 37, wherein the first user interface includes a first userinterface associated with an aspect of the item.
 49. (canceled) 50.(canceled)
 51. The system of claim 37, wherein the item further includesa context sensor.
 52. The system of claim 37, wherein, the instructionsfurther include an instruction to (iii) receive a context of the itemfrom the context sensor; and wherein the instruction (ii) provide anassistance correlating to the query includes provide an assistancecorrelating to the query and the context.
 53. (canceled)
 54. (canceled)55. (canceled)
 56. The system of claim 37, wherein the item includes atleast one of a vehicle, an appliance, a manufacturing apparatus, or acontrol system.
 57. (canceled)
 58. (canceled)
 59. (canceled) 60.(canceled)
 61. (canceled)
 62. A method comprising: a. receiving aselection corresponding to an aspect of an item through a first userinterface of the item; b. receiving a selection corresponding to anassistance request related to the aspect of the item through a seconduser interface of the item; and c. providing an assistance correlatingto the assistance request related to the aspect of the item through athird user interface of the item.
 63. The method of claim 62, whereinthe first user interface includes an element of the item in a firststate, and the second user interface includes the element of the item ina second state.
 64. (canceled)
 65. (canceled)
 66. The method of claim62, wherein the first user interface includes an element of the item ina first mode and the second user interface includes the element of theitem in a second mode.
 67. (canceled)
 68. (canceled)
 69. The method ofclaim 62, wherein the receiving a selection corresponding to an aspectof an item through a first user interface of the item includes areceiving a selection corresponding to an aspect of an item through afirst user interface of the item associated with the aspect.
 70. Themethod of claim 62, wherein the receiving a selection corresponding toan aspect of an item through a first user interface of the item includesa receiving a selection corresponding to an aspect of an item having acomputing device through a first user interface of the computing deviceassociated with the aspect.
 71. (canceled)
 72. (canceled)
 73. (canceled)74. (canceled)
 75. (canceled)
 76. The method of claim 62, furthercomprising: d. searching an assistance file for the assistancecorrelating to the assistance request.
 77. The method of claim 62,further comprising: d. sensing a context of the item and wherein theproviding an assistance correlating to the query includes providing anassistance correlating to the query and the sensed context of the item.78. (canceled)
 79. (canceled)
 80. (canceled)
 81. (canceled)
 82. Themethod of claim 62, further comprising: d. receiving an input responsiveto the provided assistance.
 83. (canceled)
 84. (canceled)
 85. Acomputer-readable medium containing computer instructions which, whenrun on a computing device, cause the computing device to perform themethod of claim
 62. 86. (canceled)
 87. (canceled)
 88. A systemcomprising: a. an item having a first user interface, a second userinterface, a third user interface, and a computing device; and b.instructions which when implemented in the computing device cause thecomputing device to: (i) receive a selection corresponding to an aspectof the item through the first user interface; (ii) receive a selectioncorresponding to an assistance request related to the aspect of the itemthrough the second user interface; and (iii) provide an assistancecorrelating to the assistance request related to the aspect of the itemthrough a third user interface.
 89. (canceled)
 90. (canceled) 91.(canceled)
 92. The system of claim 88, wherein the first user interfaceincludes an element of the item in a first mode and the second userinterface includes the element of the item in a second mode. 93.(canceled)
 94. (canceled)
 95. The system of claim 88, wherein the firstuser interface of the item includes a first user interface of the itemassociated with the aspect of the item.
 96. (canceled)
 97. The system ofclaim 88, wherein the computing device includes a limited resourcecomputing device.
 98. (canceled)
 99. (canceled)
 100. (canceled) 101.(canceled)
 102. (canceled)